India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has said the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of “profound concern” for the international community and human rights violations have “no justification” — but without mentioning Russia by name.
Mr Jaishankar was speaking at a special session on Ukraine at the UN Security Council on Thursday, as world leaders attended the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.
“The future outlook appears even more disturbing. The nuclear issue is a particular anxiety. In a globalised world, the impact of the conflict is being felt even in distant regions,” he said, while referring to shortages of fuel, food grains and fertiliser caused by the war.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a meeting of the UN Security Council during which Moscow was strongly criticised over the war in Ukraine. Reuters -
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks at the meeting, in which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russian President Vladimir Putin should be held to account. AFP -
Mr Lavrov defended Russia's actions in Ukraine. Reuters -
Mr Blinken listens to Mr Lavrov. Russia has announced a "partial mobilisation" of citizens, calling up 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine. AFP -
Mr Lavrov at the UN. Russia has stated its willingness to use nuclear weapons to defend its territory. Reuters -
Mr Blinken speaks in New York. Reuters -
Mr Lavrov and Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Vershinin, left, confer during the Security Council meeting on Ukraine. EPA -
Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly watches Mr Lavrov walk out while he is speaking. AP Photo -
Mr Lavrov leaving the chamber. Reuters -
Mr Blinken is deep in concentration. Reuters
More than 14,000 people have been killed and about 13 million have been displaced in the war that broke when Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February, according to the UN.
Russia has been accused of torture, execution and abduction of Ukrainians, charges that it denies.
India has pursued an independent policy on the conflict and has refused to explicitly condemn Russia, its long-time ally and largest weapons supplier.
It has repeatedly said that the crisis should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue, doing so during a recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan.
However, there is “no justification for violation of human rights or of international law”, Mr Jaishankar told the Security Council.
“Where any such acts occur, it is imperative that they are investigated in an objective and independent manner. This was the position we took with regard to the killings in Bucha and this is the position we take even today.”
More than 300 bodies were found in the Kyiv suburb days after Russian forces withdrew from the area in April. Many of the dead had been shot in the back of the head or had their hands tied.
